Study Protocol for a Home-Based Obesity Prevention Program in Latino Preschool Children

Abstract

This article describes the study design for ANDALE Pittsburgh, a culturally appropriate, family-based intervention to promote a healthy weight in Latino preschool children. The study was organized into two major phases: phase I—conduct focus groups with 30 Latino parents of preschool children to inform the development of a culturally appropriate intervention; phase II—test the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention with 50 families. Participants were recruited from an emerging Latino community through community gatherings, flyers, and word of mouth. Six promotoras (females >18 yr, active in community) received 25 h of training using the intervention curriculum finalized after phase I. Promotoras delivered the home-based intervention to families for ten 90-min weekly sessions that included education, practice, and action (i.e., goal setting). Behavior modification constructs and strategies (e.g., goal setting, problem solving, and social support), and building of self-efficacy through healthy recipe preparation and physical activity breaks, were also included. Outcomes (e.g., child body mass index) were assessed pre- and postintervention. Process evaluation assessed fidelity, dose, reach, recruitment, and contextual factors using multiple data sources and mixed methods. The ANDALE Pittsburgh study will expand the body of knowledge on interventions to promote a healthy weight in Latino preschool children living in an emerging Latino community. If successful, this approach will be evaluated in a future, larger-scale intervention and provide a potential model to help to address and prevent obesity in this population.